The Wrong Question
What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Psalm 8:4
What – The Hebrew word mah is an indefinite interrogative pronoun that means “what?” But “what” isn’t right in this verse. The Hebrew translation is correct, but the cultural transposition isn’t. “What is man?” is the wrong question. You see, asking what man is can be answered by a list of reductions common to our way of thinking. Man is an upright, walking animal that is self-aware. Really? Man is a biological machine that processes food into thought. Really? Man is the end of the evolutionary chain. Really? You see, when I ask “what,” I miss the point of David’s question. David isn’t asking for a biology lesson or a social-political theory. He is asking who we are from God’s perspective. How is it possible that the God of all creation pays any attention to us? Who are we that this God should even notice? The difference between our understanding of “what” and David’s understanding of mah is enormous – and critically important.
Abraham Heschel says, “It is indeed conceivable that man may continue to be without being human. . . . One of the most frightening prospects we must face is that this earth may be populated by a race of beings which though belonging to the race Homo sapiens according to biology will be devoid of the qualities by which man is spiritually distinguished from the rest of organic creatures.”[1]
You may want to read that again. Three thousand years ago, David recognized that the truth about who I am is defined by my relationship to the Creator. It is not a matter of biology or politics or mechanics or any other factor. I am human because I am related to God and only in my relation to God can I become human. Soren Kierkegaard said it well: “Now with the help of God I can become myself.”
Being human means being tied to God’s path to life. It means standing against chaos and the forces that destroy life. It means sharing in a covenant guarantee. It means knowing what is permitted and what is not, and acting accordingly. Any behavior that denies, negates or rejects these images is not human behavior and the creatures who exhibit non-human behavior are not creatures that exhibit God’s image. Before sin entered the world, God made human beings as perfect representatives of His image and likeness. Now we discover that this is an active and dynamic condition. In the perfect creation, nothing prevented male and female from taking on the image and likeness of God. They are human because they act humanly. In the process, they continue to become human. But when sin entered the picture, something tragic occurred. Now it became possible to move in another direction. Over time, those who have been designed to become human can reject walking this path. Many do. They eventually arrive at a destination not intended for human beings. Human beings are intended to arrive at the full expression of “our image and likeness.” But it is also possible to arrive at another destination.[2]
The image of God is not a static element in being human. It is not something that we possess like flesh and blood. It is a dynamic activity. I carry God’s image as the order-maker when I act as the order-taker. It is action within the relationship that constitutes the image. This is exactly what we expect from a Hebrew perspective. We are human because of and through our actions. We are manifest as human beings when we act humanly, when we act in ways that manifest the image and likeness of God. Just like God is a verb, the image of God is a verb. We truly are “works in progress,” and the reason we are works at all is because God notices us.
Topical Index: what, mah, image of God, human, Psalm 8:4
[1] Abraham Heschel, Who Is Man? (Stanford University Press, 1965) p. 29.
[2] From The Perfect Enemy (forthcoming)
Of course! Now I understand the warfare that is going on inside me. One part wants to be human, (in relationship with my Creator) The other part wants to wander on its own notion of what is fun to do and that get me into trouble. (If not with society, certainly with God) Oh my! It sound so easy to make the right choices, yet it seems to be a struggle. I thank God for His patience with me and for Christ who, when I listen, pulls me in the right directio.
Shabbat Shalom Chavarim,
“We truly are “works in progress,” and the reason we are works at all is because God notices to us.” ( Ahmein)
Numerous times within The Word we are told how Adonai “remembers” us. A significant component of the mo’adim is the fact that we draw near to HIM at HIS appointed time so that we can be “remembered” before HIM!
So who is man that Adonai thinks of us? We are the creation that has been placed here to be remembered and also to remember. The creation that is to be kept …and the creation that is to keep!
And another comforter shall be sent to you … a comforter that will help you bring things into “remembrance”.
We are the creation that is designed to bring glory, honor and blessings unto the Creator, for in us resides HIS IMAGE, LIKENESS and NAME! Praise YESHUA!
Despite the obvious (man is but dust of the Earth), I suppose we people most often under estimate our value … clearly The CREATOR does not! 🙂
Perhaps I need to do a better job of seeing people as Yeshua sees people!
Andy Stanley (son of Charles),about five years back wrote a book entitled: “The Best Question Ever.” A pretty intriguing title and one that piqued my interest enough to buy the book.
I’m not going to say what my reaction to the book was, but the title question continued to haunt me. What is “the best question ever?” Have you ever considered “the best question?”
Hmm.. “What’s for dinner?” “Will you marry me?”.. (those are nice but would they take top billing?)
David spent a great deal of time under the open sky as a young shepherd boy. Not many city lights to interfere with his view of the bajillion or so stars that filled up the ancient sky. Maybe he took up his harp and composed these lyrics. (After all- the Psalms are part of the Hebrew hymnal)
I believe these words were composed by Linda Lee Johnson and Tom Fettke. If you’ve never heard it sung- you’ve missed out on some good stuff!..
When I gaze into the night sky
And see the works of Your fingers
The moon and stars suspended in space
But what is man
That You are mindful of him?
You have given man
A crown of glory and honor
And have made him a little lower
Than the angels
You have put him in charge of all creation
The beasts of the field
The birds of the air
The fish of the sea
Oh, but what is man
Oh, what is man
That You are mindful of him?
O Lord, our God
The majesty and glory of Your Name
Transcends the earth
And fills the heavens
O Lord, our God
Little children praise Him perfectly
And so would we
And so would we
Alleluia, alleluia
The majesty and glory of Your Name
Alleluia, alleluia
The majesty and glory of Your Name
Alleluia!
David was getting some perspective on how big his G-d was and how small our planet is compared to the universe. Size-wise we are not even a blip on the radar screen and when we consider G-d actually hears each of our prayers, it seems like we are a speck of dust on another bigger speck of dust rotating in space.
But folks, David did not have the perspective of the cross. He knew Elohim as the Creator and He knew Him as Provider and Protector, but He did not know Him as Savior. We have a more sure word of prophecy.
G-d was “mindful” of us alright. He was “mindful” enough of us and our need of a Deliverer to warrant the slaughter of a perfect Lamb on Calvary’s cross. This reminds me of another question and one that is worth asking. “Why did He love me so?”
Love sent my savior to die in my stead;
Why should He love me so?
Meekly to Calvary’s cross He was led;
Why should He love me so?
Nails pierced His hands and His feet for my sin;
Why should He love me so?
He suffered sore my salvation to win;
Why should He love me so?
O how He agonized there in my place;
Why should He love me so?
Nothing withholding my sin to efface;
Why should He love me so?
Why should He love me so?
Why should He love me so?
Why should my Savior to Calvary go?
Why should He love me so?
Now we’ve added another good question to “what.” I believe we know “when” and “where” and we can even answer “who”, but “why?” can only be answered by G-d’s own words. -“For G-d so loved..”, He gave..
I remember the song “Why did he love me so.” Can you tell me where to get a copy of the music? It brings back fond memories. Thanks.